These “What Do You Think?” articles can be used for individual reflection as well as group discussion times. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at btomovement@gmail.com. 

What do you want your future home to “feel like” one day? What kind of culture do you and your significant other want to build in your future home? 

Not long after moving to America, I became pregnant with our first child. Leon and I were excited but, to be honest, a little surprised and nervous. I was still adjusting to my new life in the States, and now I was pregnant. Everything was just about to change again.

Because of my Ecuadorian heritage and our unique cultural backgrounds, Leon and I were intentional about creating a certain culture in our new home. From the beginning we knew we wanted our home to feel “warm.” In Ecuador, for instance, everybody greets you with a hug and a kiss. So Leon and I taught our children to embrace people if they were open to it. Our children also learned Spanish, which we spoke in our home. 

I wanted to bring the best of my husband’s culture and the best of mine into our marriage.

The Bible’s Plan for Making Families Work

Another trait Leon and I wanted to include in our family culture is found in Matthew 22:37–40, where Jesus talks about loving the Lord with everything we have and loving our neighbors in the same way we love ourselves. That is the biblical plan for making family relationships work, and God even gives us the power to follow this plan in relationship with Him. “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

Creating a mission statement as a couple and writing a vision for the future are good ways to begin thinking about creating a family culture.

Expect Miracles

An important element that I believe every family culture should have is the expectation of miracles. Nothing is impossible with Jesus. God is a God of miracles, and He is always ready to heal you, your future spouse, and your future children both physically and emotionally. 

I cannot count the abundant miracles I, personally, have encountered throughout my married life—with Leon, my kids, and our family and friends. The more you expect miracles to happen in your home, the more you will see them. 

You won’t be disappointed when you trust God to do miracles on your behalf. Some things may take a little while, but if they are in God’s will, they will happen. Even the littlest things in life are miracles. 

What Do You Think?

1. Why is it important to talk about married life before the wedding?
2. What type of family life did you have growing up? Describe the type of family life you would like to have.
3. What sort of family culture do you want to create in your future home?
4. What do you want your future home to feel like when other people come to visit? 

For more information on sex, marriage, and finding the person who is right for you, get a copy of Becoming the One by Salomé Roat. Click here to learn more.

You can also order the book in Spanish. Click here.